Head injury — advice for parents & carers
What to look out for, and how to help your child recover, after a head injury.
We have examined your child and it is safe for them to go home. Serious problems after a head injury are uncommon, but can sometimes develop over the first few days. Please read this, keep it handy, and watch your child closely.
Your care details
To be completed by the team before you leave.
These can be signs of a more serious injury and need checking urgently.
- Knocked out, or very hard to wake or keep awake
- Sleepy for over 1 hour when normally wide awake
- Confused, or does not know where they are
- Trouble speaking, understanding, walking or balancing
- Weakness in an arm or leg, or any eyesight problems
- Being sick (vomiting), or a headache that won't go away
- A fit or seizure (convulsion)
- Clear fluid or bleeding from an ear or the nose
- Baby: high-pitched or non-stop cry, won't feed, bulging soft spot
For the first 24–48 hours
- Do not leave them alone for the first 24 hours.
- Keep a phone nearby in case you need help.
- No cycling, scooter or skateboard until completely better.
- For pain, give paracetamol or ibuprofen if they can take them.
Symptoms that are usually nothing to worry about
These are common and normally settle within about 2 weeks:
See your GP if you are worried in the first few days, or symptoms last beyond 2 weeks.
Getting back to normal
- Rest for 2–3 days, then ease back to school as symptoms allow.
- Start light activity (no contact) once they feel better.
- Avoid contact sport for 3–4 weeks, until a health professional confirms full recovery. After a skull fracture, avoid it for 4–6 weeks.
Longer-term recovery
Most children recover fully. A few have symptoms lasting longer (sometimes called post-concussion). In a baby this may show as more crying, or changes in feeding or sleeping. See your GP if symptoms last beyond 2 weeks or you are worried. For support, visit the Child Brain Injury Trust or Headway.